Firms undertaking dangerous jobs have a duty to their workers, and so do the authorities

I see that many old buildings in Abu Dhabi city are being painted these days. While this beautification campaign should be appreciated, I have noticed that some safety elements are being ignored in the process.

Most of the maintenance teams use poor quality suspended cradles and the painters are not properly harnessed and do not wear safety helmets. Even if they do have helmets, they often keep them aside as they probably feel the helmet-shaped plastic caps may not be much help in case of an accident.

Through this community report, I request the supervisors of companies undertaking such jobs to take appropriate measures for the safety of the workers.

I also urge the authorities to implement mandatory safety procedures, equipment and dress codes for all involved in such high-risk jobs. Let us be proactive and think of safety 24/7, rather than acting after an incident happens.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing clinched this victory by little more than one minute over PUMA in a thrilling finish of the first stage of Leg 3, continuing their winning streak in home waters.

Within two miles of the finish Abu Dhabi skipper British Olympian Ian Walker stole the lead from Team Telefónica, who had held pole position over the fleet from the start of the 106 nautical mile race to Sharjah.

The first Emirati team to ever compete in the race crossed the finish line at 1629 UTC, scoring the maximum six points and boosting their points tally to 31.

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG netted five points for second place, finishing just one minute and 16 seconds behind Abu Dhabi. Groupama sailing team earned four points for third, Telefónica placed fourth for three and CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand will receive two for fifth.

Winning the sprint capped off a stellar week of racing for the locals, who leave their homeport as heroes having also won the Etihad Airways In-Port Race on Friday.

Overall Standings:

1. Team Telefonica 71

2. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 64

3. Groupama sailing team 51

4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 36

5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 31

6. Team Sanya 4

Today’s results:

1. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing — 57min 51sec, 6pts

2. Groupama sailing team — 58.48, 5pts

3. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand – 60.47, 4pts

4. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG – 62.22, 3pts

5. Team Telefonica – 62.47, 2pts

The first stage of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race starts today (2pm), with the fleet sprinting from Abu Dhabi back up to Sharjah, from where the boats will be transported to an Indian Ocean safe haven ahead of their journey to Sanya in China.

Broken Link – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 14.01.2012

I have been a regular contributor to this column, but I was forced to take a short break from Short Take due to unavoidable circumstances.

What made me look at the stark realities of communication channels is a vacuum created in my life due to the death of a close relative. I am sure, several of you have experienced it. When someone departs from this world without any warning, a link is broken.

There are several things that we closely communicate with that person, which the moment after, we find no one to refer to. It is a difficult situation indeed and, of course, it will change over a period of time, but with the changes associated and with missing personal touches of that special someone in your life.

The plight of people is well known. Every resident of kadugodi is experiencing the difficulty in crossing the railway line. I have taken up through media.﻿

Mr. Balasubramaniam

Its more painful for sick , old people who want to cross the railway track when so many goods trains are parked ( not sure if it is deliberately) just near the drop gates.. I cross the tracks daily and am grieved too , to see the condition of the people… This is absolutely callous behaviour of the authorities.. If they cant construct a walk over bridge , they can at least direct the drivers to park the trains in such a way that it does not bother the citizens more..

Mr. Shuja Wani

The people travelling from/to Kadugodi bus station are facing insurmountable difficulties. Parking of two goods trains across the railway gate, fencing the entry gate from Kadugodi end, digging of drain restricting people crossing over, darkness in the night are putting people to risk of life and property while crossing the railway gate. Problem is greater for women carrying children, old/handicapped/sick people and those carrying luggage. This needs to be addressed quickly by railways by providing a foot over bridge. After all people live on this side of railway gate while the bus station is placed at the other end which has no habitation at all. Every one will agree that it is impractical for pedestrians to cross over by using the fly over, which has become dangerous even for motorists due to darkness and displaced road dividers.Secondly, BMTC could be approched to extend the bus routes, more particularly volvos, to this side of railway gate. There are several buildings and residential complexes coming up on this side and hence we could have a collective efforts. The corporator and Legislator/ MP of this area should help us in this regard. Could we build a movement?

Mr. Balasubramaniam

I think the priority should be for railway over bridge which affects every one and critical.

Ajiyos Yohannan

I support the cause for pedestrian bridge next to the flyover.

Mr. Raghuram Ch

We can perhaps submit a memorandum to the Whitefield Railway Station Master with an agreement from the Legislator……If someone has any contacts with the Railway Ministry or with Ms. Mamata Banerjee (now that she is the CM of WB), then that should also be looked at.

Adnoc Abu Dhabi International Marathon 2018

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced, the inauguration of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, which will be held, for the first time, on December 7, 2018, bringing the world’s oldest race to one of the world’s most modern cities, and deepening ADNOC’s commitment to the Abu Dhabi community.December 7, 2018